Tiltable table top structure



E. E. WOLLER TIL-TABLE TABLE TOP, STRUCTURE Aug 3, 1954 Filed Aug. 24, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIEAITORII (ATTORNEYS.

MW T

Aug. 3, 1954 Filed Aug. 24, 1949 E. E. WOLLER TILTABLE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 13,1954

' Filed Aug. 24) 1949 E. E. WOLLER 3 ,486

' 'lfILTABLE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY-5.

Aug. 3, 1954' E. E. WOLLER 2,685,486

TILTABLE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 24; 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. W 6

ATTORNEYS.

IHIII Aug. 3, 1954 E. E. WOLLER TIL-TABLE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 24, 1949 INVENTOR.'

, ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 3, 1954 UNITED STTES OFFICE TILTABLE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE Edward E. Woller, Kenosha, Wis., assignor to Simmons Company, Kenosha, Wis, a corporation of Delaware 3 Claims. 1

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of table capable of easy adjustment to accommodate its use for eating, reading, or as a vanity; to provide a table of this kind having improved means for mounting a section of the table top to permit vertical swinging thereof into various angular positions to render it convenient for use for reading or as a vanity; to provide an improved form and convenient arrangement of means for adlusting the height of the table top above the floor; to provide improved safety-latch means for automatically limiting the height to which the table may be adjusted; and to provide an improved table of this kind which is simple in its over-all construction, easily movable from place to place, and particularly suitable for use as an over-the-bed table.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an improved over-bed table constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the table top elevated and the swingable section thereof in its normal horizontal position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table top with the swingable section in one of its angular positions for supporting reading material;

Fig. 3 is a similar view but showing the swingable table-top section in an angular position to permit the table to be used as a vanity;

Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views showing the swingable table-top section in opposite angular positions which permit the table to be used as a "vanity;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of one of the two identical pawl and ratchet means by which the swingable table top section is supported in its various angular positions;

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken on the line 'l'! of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are longitudinal sectional views of the same, as Viewed from the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, showing the pawl in various positions with respect to the ratchet shoulders which coact to hold the swingable table-top section in certain of its positions;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly sectional, showing the swingable table-top section in one of its two vanity positions, as viewed from the plane of the line Iii-4!! of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 10 but showing the swingable table-top section in one of its angular positions for supporting reading material;

Fig.'12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional elevation of the extensible standard and its height adjusting means whereby the table top is positionable at various elevations above the floor;

Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary sectional elevations of the extensible standard showing the ofrm and action of the safety latch which limits the telescopic extension of said standard;

Fig. 15 is a transverse, sectional detail taken on the line l5i5 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a partly-sectional, partly-elevational side view of this improved form of table, as viewed from the plane of the line IE!6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 1'? is a detailed plan view showing the bracket and brace whereby the table top support is connected to one of the telescoping parts of the supporting standard.

An improved over-bed table constructed in accordance with this invention comprises, a base 2% movable over the floor and mounting an extensible standard 2i which is equipped with height-adjusting means 22 and a safety latch 23 and which supports a frame 24 mounting a table top 25. The center section 26 of the table top is swingable in a vertical plane about each of its lateral edges and is releasably latched by pawl and ratchet means 21 in either reading or vanity positions for a person on either side of the table top 25. A pan 28 is supported on the frame 23 below the swingable table top section 25 to receive used vanity accessories.

The base 26, as herein shown, is in the form of an I made up of square tubing. The transverse part 29 is provided With casters 3%], whereas the transverse part 3! is provided with posts 32. The posts 32 normally tend to resist a too-easy movement of the table across the floor. However, a slight elevation of the posts 32 from the fioor permits easy movement of the table across the floor on the casters 3B.

The standard 2! comprises inner and outer telescopic members 33 and 3%, respectively secured to the base 20 and the table-support frame 2 Within these members is arranged a counterbalancing spring 35 embracing a dowel 35 which is connected to the member 3G by a pommel 3M and which extends practically the full length of the outer member 34.

The members 33 and 34, as herein shown, are square tubing. The former has a plug 3'! se cured in the base thereof to support the spring 35. A series of apertures 38 are arranged in one side of the member 33 to be engaged by a Stud 39 on the height-adjusting means 22 for 3 securing the table 25 in a desired elevation above the floor.

The height-adjusting means 22 comprises a lever all of channel-shaped form, fitting over the upper end of the outer standard member 34 and pivoted thereto at ti so that a spring 42 normally urges the stud 39, extending through an opening in the tubular member 35, to engage any of the apertures 38 for positioning the table top 25 at varying heights above the floor.

The upper or power end of the channel-plate lever 45 terminates just below the table support frame as. It is thus in convenient position to be grasped by the hand either of one before whom the table is arranged for use, or of an attendant, for readily retracting the stud 39 to permit a vertical adjustment of the table top 25.

The safety latch 23 is in the form of a rod welded at 43 to the inner face of the inner standard member 33 near the upper end thereof, preferably so as to nest the rod along one corner of the rectangular standard member 33. The lower end of the rod is bent to form a detent '54. When slots 65 and 421 (see Fig. 13), formed in the respective standard members 33 and 3%, come into registration, the detent 44 is urged outwardly by the resiliency of the rod to engage the edge A? of the member 34, formed by the slot 455, and thereby prevent any further relative extension of the members 33 and 34.

The table-support frame 24 is a fiat metal strip formed into a rectangle, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. It is anchored to the upper standard member 3:3, as most clearly shown in Fig. 17, by a U-shaped bracket 48 and cross brace 49. A brace 24.! spans the frame 2 3 at a median point. (See Fig. 3). A support Ell for the pan 28 spans the table-support frame 24 below the swingable table-top section 26, so as to locate the pan 28 below the plane of the upper edge of said frame. This is necessary in order to accommodate the opposite swinging and angular positioning of the table-top section 25, as will be described more fully presently.

The table top 25, which may be formed of any suitable material, comprises the swingable section 26 arranged between fixed sections and 52. The length and arrangement of the sections 5| and 52 are such that, when used as an overbed table, the swingable section 26 will be disposed about midway across a single bed to best suit the convenience of the occupant thereof.

The swingable table-top section 2t is hinged at 53 to a frame 56 which, in turn, is hinged at 155 to the table-support frame 2 This double hinging permits the opposite swinging of the table-top section 26 in a vertical plane about each lateral edge of the table support 2 The section 26 may be positioned in either of two different angular positions for supporting reading material or in an angular position for use as a vanity, as determined by the pawl and ratchet means 21, which will be described more fully hereinafter.

The frame 54, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3, is of rectangular form, being constructed of rectangular tubing. (See Fig. 16.)

As previously noted, the frame Ed is hinged at 55 to the table-support frame 24 and has the swingable table-top section 26 hinged thereto at 53. Thus, when the table-top section 25 is swung to an angular position on the hinge 53 the frame 54 remains parallel with the tablesupport frame 2 3. When the table-top section 26 is swung to an angular position in the reverse direction, the table top section 26 and the frame 5 swing together as a unit. In order to assure unison swinging movement of the frame 54 and the table-top section 26 about the hinge 55, a spring clip 58 (see Fig. 3) is secured to the under side of the table-top section 25 at the edge opposite the hinges 53. This clip is formed to releasably engage a suitable shoulder on the frame 54.

A mirror 5? is secured to the under side of the table-top section 26 by opposed Z-shaped plates 58. Thus, when the table-top section 26 is disposed in either of the angular positions shown in Figs. 3 and 5 or 4 and 10, the table may be used as a vanity.

Pairs of rubber bumpers 59 and 60 are secured to the frame 54 on opposite sides adjacent opposite lateral corners so as to cushion and make noiseless the contact of the table-top section 25 when lowered into its normal horizontal position.

Bars 61 are arranged on opposite lateral edges of the table-top section 25 and are movable into and out of position to support reading material, when the table top is in certain of its angular positions. To this end each bar BI is provided with a pair of parallel slots 62 spaced apart and angularly disposed. Through these slots 62 extend pins 63 secured to the respective edges of the table-top section 26. As best noted in Fig. 1, the lower ends of the slots 62 are slightly offset so that when the bar is shifted into an elevated position the offset portions of the slots 62 are brought into registration with the pins 63. The bar, therefore, will have a tendency to remain in its elevated position until pressure is applied to retract it.

Two pawl and ratchet means 21 are provided for determining the various angular positions of the table-top section 26. Such pawl and ratchet means are interposed between the tabletop frame 54 and the table-support frame 24 on the one hand and the table-top section 26 on the other hand. The one pawl and ratchet means 2'! determines the three angular positions of the table-top section 25 when swung on the hinges 55 (with the frame 5 held parallel to the tabletop section 26), as shown in Fig. 10. The other pawl and ratchet means 2'! determines the three angular positions of the table-top section 26 when swung on the hinges 53 (with the frame 55 remaining parallel with the table-top support frame 24), as shown in Fig. 11.

These pawl and ratchet means 21 are of identical construction, each comprising a ratchet plate 56, an angle bracket 65, a cover plate 66, and a pawl 61.

The ratchet plate 64 is a sheet metal stamping providing a base part 68 spaced from the ears 68 through which extend screws 10 for attaching the ratchet plate 64 to either the table-top frame 54 (see Fig. 11) or the brace 24.! (see Fig. 10). Obviously, as seen in these two figures, these pawl and ratchet means 2'! are oppositely disposed.

Portions of the base 63 are struck up to form a pair of shoulders H which hold the pawl 61 for positioning the table-top section 26 in two different angular positions at less than ninety degrees to the table top 25, as shown in Figs. 2 and 11. At one end the ratchet plate 64 is curved up toward the ear 69 to provide a cam 12 leading from the nearest shoulder H to a third shoulder '53. The latter, when engaged by the pawl 61, holds the pawl 67 to dispose the table-top section 26 in an angular position of greater than ninety degrees. as most clearly shown in Fig. 10.

The angle bracket 65 is secured to the inside of the vertical wall of the ratchet plate 64 so as to provide a ledge 1 above the ratchet plate ii-i and to define therewith a guideway for receiving the free end of the pawl 6?. When the table-top section 25 is being returned to a horizontal position, the free end of the pawl travels in the guideway defined between the ledge iii and the underside of the frame at. A leaf spring 75 is secured to the horizontal part of the angle bracket 65 to constitute an extension of the ledge l i, over the cam 12, so that once the pawl 51 has moved above the spring to contact the shoulder 13 the pawl has to be returned to the opposite end of the ratchet plate 54 before said pawl can be again brought into contact with the shoulders H or T3 for disposing the table top section in an angular position. Movement of the pawl fill rearwardly along the ledge l'd requires the table-top section 26 to resume a horizontal position.

The pawl i5! is in the form of a wire, one end of which is hinged either to the table-top section or the table-top frame 54. The other end is bent at right angles to form a finger 15 which is the part of the pawl 67 that engages the shoulders i! and T3 and traverses the ledge M.

The pan 28 may be of any suitable construction and normally rests on the plate 5i! so that when the table-top section 25 is in either of its vanity positions, the pan may be used for temporarily depositing disposed-oi vanity accessories.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the 1 table-top section 26 can be angularly-disposed with respect to each lateral side of the table 25, at either of two positions for holding reading material or one position to permit the table to serve as a vanity. Lifting the table-top section 26, to dispose it in any of these possible angles, causes the finger '56 to move along the base 88 of the plate 64 up, over, and into contact With the one shoulder l i, positioning said section, as shown in Fig. 2. A further swinging of the section 26 brings the pawl finger it into contact with the second shoulder M. This disposes the table-top section at the angle shown in Fig. 11.

If reading material is to be retained on the angularly-disposed table-top section 26, one of the bars or drop lips is shifted toward one end of the section 26. Through the action of the pins 63 and slots 62 the top portion of the bar 6! is moved above the plane of the table-top section 26, as shown in Figs. 2 and 11.

In swinging the table-top section 26 into a vanity position, the pawl finger Hi rides up the cam 12, past the end of the spring 15, and into contact with the shoulder 73, as shown in Fig. 10.

To return the table-top section 26 either to a horizontal position or a reading position, the section 25 has to be pulled forwardly out of its vanity position. Thereupon, the pawl finger it moves over the spring l5 and ledge 14 to the opposite end of the ratchet plate 64.

To alter the elevation of the table top 25, the upper end of the channel plate lever d9 is pressed against the standard member 34. This retracts the stud from engagement with an aperture 38 and thereupon any pressure on the table top results in a change in the elevation of the table top above the floor.

The lower limit of positioning the table top 25 6. above'the floor is the abutment of the end of the outer standard member 33 against the base 20, as shown in Fig. 16. The upper limit of elevation of the table top 25 above the floor is determined by the engagement of the detent 44, on the rod 23, with the edge 41 of the member 34 forming the slot 46, as clearly shown in Fig. 13.

Although this table is intended primarily for use as an over-the-bed table, it will be obvious that it can be used for one sitting in a chair.

Variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended, claims.

I claim:

1. A table or" the class described including a frame member and a table top member hinged together to permit said table top member to swing relative to said frame member about a horizontal axis, a pawl hinged to one of said members,

means defining two generally parallel guideways ill on the other of said members for slidably receiving the free end of said pawl, a ratchet disposed in one of said guideways and engageable by said pawl end to support said table top member in various angular positions relative to said frame member, said ratchet permitting movement of said pawl end in only one direction in said one guideway, said direction being such to coincide with the raising of said table top member, said guideways converging at the end of said one guideway toward which said pawl end is therein movable, a resilient gate member at said one guideway end to permit said pawl end to pass from said one guideway to the other of said guideways, but not vice versa, said pawl end being freely movable in said other guideway, said guideways being in open communication at the other end of said one guideway to permit said pawl end to pass from said other guideway to said one guideway when said table top member is lowered on to said frame.

2. A table of the class described including a frame and a table top hinged together to permit said table top to swing relative to said frame member about a horizontal axis, a ratchet on said frame, a ledge overlying said ratchet and forming therewith a guideway, a pawl hinged to said table top and having its free end turned sidewardly and slidably received in said guideway, said ratchet being engageable by the free end of said pawl to support said table top in various elevated angular positions relative to said frame and permitting movement of said pawl end toward one end only of said guideway, said ratchet being curved upwardly at said one end, said ledge having a portion at said one end of the guideway resiliently urged toward the curved portion of said ratchet to normally close said guideway, said ledge por tion being displaceable by passage of said pawl end out of said guideway, said pawl end being movable in the opposite direction along said ledge to permit said table top to be lowered, said ledge terminating short of the opposite end of said ratchet to permit said free pawl end to drop onto said ratchet When said table top is lowered on to said frame.

3. A table of the class described including a frame member and a table top member hinged together on a horizontal axis to permit said table top member to swing upwardly from a normal horizontal position through an angle greater than degrees, a pawl hinged to one of said members, means defining two generally parallel guideways on the other of said members for slidably receiving the free end of said pawl, a ratchet disposed in one of said guideways and engageable by said pawl end to support said table top member at various angles less than 90 degrees above said normal horizontal position, said ratchet permitting movement of said pawl end in only one direction in said guideway, said direction being such to coincide with the raising of said table top member, said guideways converging at the end of said one guideway toward which said pawl end is therein movable, a resilient gate member at said guideway end to permit said pawl end to pass from said one guideway to the other of said guideways, but not vice versa, an abutment at the end of said other guideway adjacent said gate member, said abutment being engageable by said free pawl end to support said table top member at an angle greater than 90 degrees from said normal horizontal position, said pawl end being freely movable in said other guideway, said guideways being in open communication at the other end of said one guideway to permit said pawl end to pass from said other guideway to said one guideway when said table top member is lowered on to said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Northrop July 18, 1876 Tucker Sept. 5, 1882 Kossbiel Nov. 11, 1884 Seaman Feb. 11, 1890 Mauchain Mar. 7, 1893 Longley May 16, 1905 Gibbins May 24, 1910 Betterley Apr. 21, 1925 Anderson Dec. 29, 1931 Steidl Nov. 22, 1932 Dow Oct. 31, 1933 Stearns Aug. 12, 1941 Poetsch Feb. 10, 1942 Hillenbrand Sept. 21, 1943 Hillenbrand Apr. 18, 1944 James June 19, 1945 Hillenbrand Dec. 14, 1948 Norwood May 31, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France July 9, 1936 

